NETGEAR - ProSafe 8-Port Gigabit VPN Firewall Router

The router solved my slow internet speeds and provided the number of ports I needed. I download lots of images for work and this gets the job done.

I have rave reviews for the product itself, it functions as advertised. My only complaint is how hard it was to acquire it. BestBuy stores have an entire store row devoted to wireless everything, but do not have a single wired only router or switch above 4 ports. They also do not have the ability to order it "in house" and it is hard to figure out which product I actually needed, from the limited BestBuy website search tools. I was referred to by employees to the switch version of this router which was incorrect as I needed NAT functions. Bought and had to return it once it came and did not work as recommended. When I found this device on the website, no one in the store had any idea if it would work for me, as they did not carry anything like it, and had no training knowledge beyond the stores own inventory.

After much web research, ended up with 3rd party support - expensive. Third party support very, very poor. Took 6.5 hours to install and configure by 4th level of tech support. Expected free tech support for a product I just purchased.

The router came packaged well with easy instructions. The router was setup quickly and works great. Have had for about a month and no issues. Internet is fast and in every room of my house.

This will help solve ongoing connections problems.

This is the FVS318 reborn. Initial firmware revisions had issues with high speed connections (over 15 Mbps or so), but they've been resolved by now, and router uptimes are now months at a minimum. Maximum connection speed for this router is about 15 Mbps, anything more and you'll bottleneck at the router. You can ignore the complaint review, they've fixed that. You can't find a less expensive VPN firewall that's worth owning, anywhere. IPv6 support being added via a firmware update makes it a clear winner going forward.

Purchased this router to replace one that I had used for several years. When I first connected it I got some drop outs and needed to cycle power in order to connect back to the Internet. After downloading and updating the firmware It has preformed perfectly with absolutely no failures.

Be kind to yourself and stay away from this one. Constant drops without a resolution from Netgear. Returning mine today after 3 weeks of no success and reading about everyone else having the same issue's. Wish I would have read them before buying, my own fault.